Nakaichi Main Store

The Nakaichi Honten Store opened as a fish shop in the castle town of Kawagoe at the end of the Edo Period. Remote from the sea, they used the river to stock up on precious fish and seafood, then sold these to the townspeople. Today, the shop does wholesale business to wedding halls and hotels along with retailing. Wholesale products include dried bonito bars, which anyone can now get at the store. The store recommends ”Shin (new) Satsuma” brand dry bonito bars: the flakes are made from smoked bonito. Easily shaved with a knife, the product is popular not only for broth but as a snack with alcoholic beverages. Another popular item is their original ”Nekomanma Onigiri” (rice mixed with bonito flakes and soy sauce). Each day's stock is limited as the rice balls are handmade. A 16-minute walk from Kawagoe-shi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line brings you to the store.